Best VPNs for Mac in 2026
On a Mac, a VPN is usually one app, but which version you install matters. Many providers offer one version on their website and another in the Mac App Store, and the two do not always have the same features or support the same macOS versions. This guide compares five providers on what each one says about its Mac app: where you can get it, which macOS versions it needs, the kill switch, split tunneling and how many devices one plan covers. Every fact comes from the providers’ own pages, and the table shows when each one was checked.
Which VPNs are best for Mac?
| # | VPN | Best for | macOS versions | Kill switch | Split tunneling | Simultaneous devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surfshark | Best overall for Mac | macOS 12 (Monterey) or later (a legacy app for older versions); native on Apple silicon and Intel Macs; from the website or the App Store | Yes, on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and Linux (Snap and .deb packages; not the Flatpak package). Not in the Fire TV app for Vega OS, where Surfshark lists it as coming soon without a date | Bypasser on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS (on iOS it can exclude websites, not apps); the reverse mode, where only the chosen apps use the VPN, is on Android only; the browser extensions can exclude websites only; the split tunneling page does not list Linux | Unlimited |
| 2 | ExpressVPN | Best for a kill switch that is on by default | macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later from the website; the Mac App Store version needs macOS 15 or later; the page does not mention Apple silicon | Windows, macOS and Linux (Internet Kill Switch, on by default; it can also block traffic after a manual disconnect), Android, and the Fortify router | Windows (apps and websites, plus an inverse mode that sends only the chosen apps through the VPN), macOS, Linux, Android (per app) and iOS (websites only) | 10–14 (by plan) |
| 3 | Private Internet Access | Best for an advanced kill switch on Mac | A 64-bit Mac with macOS 11 or later in the page's system requirements (PIA 3.5 is the last version for macOS 10.15 and earlier; elsewhere the page says 10.15 or later); the Mac App Store version needs macOS 12 or later; the page does not mention Apple silicon | Windows, macOS and Linux (named on each app's page; the macOS and Linux pages also name the Advanced Kill Switch, which blocks traffic while the VPN is off) | Windows, macOS, Linux and Android | Unlimited |
| 4 | IPVanish | Best for split tunneling and unlimited devices | macOS 13 to macOS 26 in the page's specs (elsewhere the page says macOS 10.13 or later); from the App Store or a download from the website (.dmg); the page does not mention Apple silicon | Windows, macOS, Android and iOS apps; a separate Kill Switch app for Fire TV | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV and Apple Vision Pro | Unlimited |
| 5 | NordVPN | Best for choosing apps to close if the VPN drops | macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later, with a separate download for macOS 12 and 13; from the website or the Mac App Store (the App Kill Switch is in the website version only); the page does not mention Apple silicon | Windows (app-level or system-level), macOS (can name the apps to shut down), Linux, iOS, and Android (through Android's own Always-on VPN setting) | Android, Android TV and Windows apps; website exclusions in the browser extensions; not on macOS or Linux (the macOS and Linux download pages, read 2026-11-13, do not mention it) | 10 |
The table shows what each provider says about its apps, including which macOS versions its Mac app needs and where you can download it. A dash means the provider does not publish that detail.
How did we pick these VPNs?
The order is our editorial judgment, based only on facts each provider publishes:
- A Mac app – every provider here offers its own macOS app, from its website, the Mac App Store or both, so you never have to set up the connection by hand.
- Kill switch on macOS – whether the provider names the kill switch for its Mac app, and what extra modes it offers, such as blocking traffic while the VPN is off or closing chosen apps.
- Split tunneling on macOS – whether you can keep some apps outside the VPN on a Mac, not only on Windows or Android.
- macOS versions and devices – which macOS versions the app supports, whether the provider mentions Apple silicon, and whether your Mac takes one of a limited number of slots.
We have not tested any of these VPNs on a Mac ourselves, and this page uses no other site’s Mac test results, so it says nothing about speed or streaming. Proton VPN also has a Mac app, but Proton calls its macOS split tunneling experimental, so it did not make this list.
What are the best VPNs for Mac in detail?
1. Surfshark
- macOS versions
- macOS 12 (Monterey) or later (a legacy app for older versions); native on Apple silicon and Intel Macs; from the website or the App Storesurfshark.com/download/macos · checked 2026-11-13
- Kill switch
- Yes, on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and Linux (Snap and .deb packages; not the Flatpak package). Not in the Fire TV app for Vega OS, where Surfshark lists it as coming soon without a datesupport.surfshark.com/hc/en-us/articles/10… · surfshark.com/download/linux · surfshark.com/download/vega-os · checked 2026-11-09
- Split tunneling
- Bypasser on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS (on iOS it can exclude websites, not apps); the reverse mode, where only the chosen apps use the VPN, is on Android only; the browser extensions can exclude websites only; the split tunneling page does not list Linuxsurfshark.com/features/split-tunneling · checked 2026-11-09
- Simultaneous devices
- Unlimitedsurfshark.com/features/multiple-devices · checked 2026-11-07
Surfshark says its macOS app runs natively on both Apple silicon and Intel Macs, and you can get it from its website or the App Store. It lists the kill switch for macOS and offers Bypasser, its split tunneling feature, on macOS as well. It sets no device limit, so a Mac never takes a slot away from a phone or a TV, and it keeps a legacy app for older macOS versions.
+ Pros
- Native on Apple silicon and Intel Macs, the only provider here that says so
- Kill switch and split tunneling both listed for macOS
- No device limit
- A legacy app for older macOS versions
− Cons
- The reverse split tunneling mode, where only the chosen apps use the VPN, is on Android only
- Its own report describes a security incident in which an outside party reached one of its servers
Choose it if you want one plan for every device in the house. Skip it if you want reverse split tunneling on your Mac.
2. ExpressVPN
- macOS versions
- macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later from the website; the Mac App Store version needs macOS 15 or later; the page does not mention Apple siliconexpressvpn.com/vpn-download/vpn-mac · checked 2026-11-13
- Kill switch
- Windows, macOS and Linux (Internet Kill Switch, on by default; it can also block traffic after a manual disconnect), Android, and the Fortify routerexpressvpn.com/features/network-lock · checked 2026-11-12
- Split tunneling
- Windows (apps and websites, plus an inverse mode that sends only the chosen apps through the VPN), macOS, Linux, Android (per app) and iOS (websites only)expressvpn.com/features/split-tunneling · checked 2026-11-12
- Simultaneous devices
- 10–14 (by plan)expressvpn.com/pricing · checked 2026-11-12
ExpressVPN says the Internet Kill Switch is on by default in its Mac app, and a stricter setting keeps traffic blocked even after you disconnect yourself. It lists split tunneling for macOS. The version from its website supports older macOS releases than the Mac App Store version does, so the website download is the safer choice on an older Mac.
+ Pros
- Kill switch on by default in the Mac app, with a mode that also blocks traffic after a manual disconnect
- Split tunneling listed for macOS
− Cons
- The Mac App Store version needs a much newer macOS than the website version
- Has a device limit that depends on the plan, unlike Surfshark, PIA and IPVanish
- The money-back guarantee is for new users only
Choose it if you want protection that is on from the start without changing settings. Skip it if you need an unlimited number of devices.
3. Private Internet Access
- macOS versions
- A 64-bit Mac with macOS 11 or later in the page's system requirements (PIA 3.5 is the last version for macOS 10.15 and earlier; elsewhere the page says 10.15 or later); the Mac App Store version needs macOS 12 or later; the page does not mention Apple siliconprivateinternetaccess.com/download/mac-vpn · checked 2026-11-13
- Kill switch
- Windows, macOS and Linux (named on each app's page; the macOS and Linux pages also name the Advanced Kill Switch, which blocks traffic while the VPN is off)privateinternetaccess.com/download/windows… · privateinternetaccess.com/download/mac-vpn · privateinternetaccess.com/download/linux-vpn · checked 2026-11-12
- Split tunneling
- Windows, macOS, Linux and Androidprivateinternetaccess.com/vpn-features/spl… · checked 2026-11-12
- Simultaneous devices
- Unlimitedprivateinternetaccess.com · checked 2026-11-07
Private Internet Access (PIA) names both its kill switch and its Advanced Kill Switch on its Mac page; the advanced one blocks traffic while the VPN is off. PIA lists split tunneling for macOS and sets no device limit. The app is on its website and in the Mac App Store, and the App Store version needs a newer macOS.
+ Pros
- Advanced Kill Switch on macOS that blocks traffic whenever the VPN is off
- Split tunneling listed for macOS
- No device limit
− Cons
- PIA’s Mac page gives two different minimum macOS versions in different places
- The page does not mention Apple silicon
- The money-back guarantee is for new subscribers only
Choose it if you never want traffic to leave your Mac without the VPN. Skip it if you want a provider that clearly states Apple silicon support.
4. IPVanish
- macOS versions
- macOS 13 to macOS 26 in the page's specs (elsewhere the page says macOS 10.13 or later); from the App Store or a download from the website (.dmg); the page does not mention Apple siliconipvanish.com/vpn-setup/mac · checked 2026-11-13
- Kill switch
- Windows, macOS, Android and iOS apps; a separate Kill Switch app for Fire TVipvanish.com/vpn-features/vpn-kill-switch · checked 2026-11-12
- Split tunneling
- Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV and Apple Vision Proipvanish.com/vpn-features/split-tunneling · checked 2026-11-12
- Simultaneous devices
- Unlimitedipvanish.com/pricing · checked 2026-11-08
IPVanish lists both the kill switch and split tunneling for its Mac app and sets no device limit, like Surfshark and PIA. You can get the app from the App Store or as a download from its website. Its setup page walks you through choosing a server location and clicking Connect.
+ Pros
- Kill switch and split tunneling both listed for Mac
- No device limit
- From the App Store or the website
− Cons
- The IPVanish Mac page gives two different macOS version ranges in different places
- The page does not mention Apple silicon
- The money-back guarantee covers the yearly and two-year plans only
Choose it if you want split tunneling and no device limit at a provider other than Surfshark. Skip it if you plan to pay monthly and want a refund option.
5. NordVPN
- macOS versions
- macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later, with a separate download for macOS 12 and 13; from the website or the Mac App Store (the App Kill Switch is in the website version only); the page does not mention Apple siliconnordvpn.com/download/mac · checked 2026-11-13
- Kill switch
- Windows (app-level or system-level), macOS (can name the apps to shut down), Linux, iOS, and Android (through Android's own Always-on VPN setting)nordvpn.com/features/vpn-kill-switch · checked 2026-11-12
- Split tunneling
- Android, Android TV and Windows apps; website exclusions in the browser extensions; not on macOS or Linux (the macOS and Linux download pages, read 2026-11-13, do not mention it)nordvpn.com/features/split-tunneling · nordvpn.com/download/mac · nordvpn.com/download/linux · checked 2026-11-08
- Simultaneous devices
- 10nordvpn.com/pricing · checked 2026-11-08
NordVPN’s Mac app has an App Kill Switch: you pick apps that NordVPN closes if the VPN connection drops. NordVPN says this feature is in the version from its website only, not in the Mac App Store version. It keeps a separate download for older macOS versions, but its split tunneling page and its Mac download page do not mention split tunneling for macOS.
+ Pros
- App Kill Switch that closes the apps you choose if the VPN drops
- A separate download for older macOS versions
− Cons
- No split tunneling listed for macOS
- The App Kill Switch is missing from the Mac App Store version
- Has a device limit, unlike Surfshark, PIA and IPVanish
Choose it if you want specific apps to quit the moment the VPN drops. Skip it if you need split tunneling on your Mac.
How do you set up a VPN on a Mac?
- Subscribe to one of the VPNs in the table and create your account.
- Download the Mac app from the provider’s website or from the Mac App Store. Check the table first: some App Store versions need a newer macOS, and NordVPN’s App Kill Switch is only in the website version.
- If you downloaded the app from the website, open the downloaded file and follow the instructions to install it. If macOS asks whether you are sure you want to open an app downloaded from the internet, click Open. ExpressVPN’s installer also asks for your Mac password to install a helper tool. The app may open by itself when the installation is done; if not, open it from Launchpad.
- Log in with the account you created when you subscribed. If your Mac asks for permission to complete the VPN configuration, click Continue, as ExpressVPN’s guide describes.
- Choose a server location and click the app’s connect button, or use its quick-connect option to let the app pick one for you.
- Check that the app shows you as connected; ExpressVPN, for example, shows a Protected message. To double-check, open an IP checker page, such as the ones Surfshark and ExpressVPN run: it should show the VPN’s address, not your own.
Each provider’s help center has a longer guide for its own Mac app, with the settings for the kill switch and split tunneling.
What should you watch out for on a Mac?
- The App Store version is not always the same app. NordVPN keeps its App Kill Switch out of the Mac App Store version, and the App Store versions of ExpressVPN and PIA need a newer macOS than their website downloads. Read the table before you pick where to download from.
- Check your macOS version. Each provider supports a different range of macOS versions, as in the table above. Surfshark keeps a legacy app and NordVPN a separate download for older Macs, and PIA and IPVanish each give two different version requirements on their Mac pages.
- Apple silicon is rarely mentioned. Surfshark is the only provider here that says its app runs natively on both Apple silicon and Intel Macs. The other four pages do not mention Apple silicon, so ask the provider if that matters to you.
- Split tunneling is not on every Mac app. NordVPN’s split tunneling page and its Mac download page do not mention split tunneling for macOS. Surfshark, ExpressVPN, PIA and IPVanish list it for the Mac.
- Kill switches work differently. ExpressVPN’s is on by default and can also block traffic after you disconnect, PIA’s Advanced Kill Switch blocks traffic while the VPN is off, and NordVPN’s App Kill Switch closes only the apps you choose. Check which kind you are turning on.
FAQ
What is the best VPN for Mac?
Surfshark is our pick, because its Mac app has a kill switch and split tunneling, it says the app runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel Macs, and its plan has no device limit. ExpressVPN is the better fit if you want a kill switch that is on from the start.
Is there a free VPN for Mac?
Proton VPN, which is not on this list, has a free plan and a Mac app; the free plan covers a single device. Surfshark says it has no permanent free plan, but it offers a free trial on its longer plans that needs a payment method and turns into a paid plan when it ends.
Do you need a separate subscription for Mac?
No. With every provider on this page, one subscription covers your Mac together with your other devices. Surfshark, PIA and IPVanish set no limit, while ExpressVPN and NordVPN limit how many devices can connect at once.
Can you set up a VPN on a Mac without an app?
Yes, for some providers. NordVPN explains how to connect with OpenVPN through Tunnelblick, a separate app, using its configuration files. You lose the kill switch and other extras the providers list for their own apps, so the provider’s app is the simpler choice.
Is the Mac App Store version the same as the website version?
Either works for most of these providers, but the versions can differ. NordVPN’s App Kill Switch is only in the website version, and ExpressVPN and PIA need a newer macOS for their App Store versions, so the website download is the safer choice on an older Mac.
Does a VPN slow down a Mac?
A VPN adds a step to every connection, so some slowdown is normal. We have not measured speed on a Mac, and this page uses no other site’s Mac speed results, so it gives no speed figures.